CV half shafts a difficult job?

[Bryan]

Okay crisis averted! Apparently the dust shield was bent and rubbing against the back of the rotor. I pushed it back and the sound stopped! No sound, no nothing! Whew! Also on refilling the trans... Some people are saying to pour ATF fluid into the transmission, but when I pulled out the half shaft it was a more clear dark looking liquid. So what should I fill the trans with? I mean some did leak out so I would guess it would be wise to replace what drained out.

 

[Bryan]

Also about the previous issue with the size difference of the control arms I got. I was able to install the drivers side with the replacement, but will it make a difference?

 

[zoomlater]

Okay crisis averted! Apparently the dust shield was bent and rubbing against the back of the rotor. I pushed it back and the sound stopped! No sound, no nothing! Whew! Also on refilling the trans... Some people are saying to pour ATF fluid into the transmission, but when I pulled out the half shaft it was a more clear dark looking liquid. So what should I fill the trans with? I mean some did leak out so I would guess it would be wise to replace what drained out.

It's ATF fluid, if you don't know the history of when it was last changed, it might be a good time to drain and refill it with new fluid. This should be easy since someone put a drain plug in for you. You fill it back up using the fill hole on the front of the tranny. Look for a 3/8 hex plug on the front side of the tranny. I've used a long tube connected to a funnel, it takes up to 3 quarts and you fill it to the top of the fill hole.

Do a search to see what other have used as some tyranny's seem to like different fluids. In my daily driver 92, I use Valvoline Dex/Merc

 

[pjtoledo]

did you use a new spindle nut? or at least re-crimp the old one? aside from being tight, they need a good amount of friction to lock them in place. that's why the nut is crimped.
250 is certainly not too much torque. I put on a 3/4" drive socket & breaker bar then stand on the end of that 18" bar with my 235+ lbs. end result is way over 300 lbs-ft. over the last 20 years I've done a dozen or so that way without issues.
you'll have to do a physical inspection to determine your screech. if you have to remove the steering knuckle it can be done while leaving the cv/axle unit in the tranny.

did you do all the tightening of the spindle nut while the car's weight was on the wheel?


oops, I was too late on the screech comments.

 

[pjtoledo]

auto trans fluid is the factory fill. some use a product called "syncro-mesh" with good results. do not use gear ****.

 

[Bryan]

did you use a new spindle nut? or at least re-crimp the old one? aside from being tight, they need a good amount of friction to lock them in place. that's why the nut is crimped.
250 is certainly not too much torque. I put on a 3/4" drive socket & breaker bar then stand on the end of that 18" bar with my 235+ lbs. end result is way over 300 lbs-ft. over the last 20 years I've done a dozen or so that way without issues.
you'll have to do a physical inspection to determine your screech. if you have to remove the steering knuckle it can be done while leaving the cv/axle unit in the tranny.

did you do all the tightening of the spindle nut while the car's weight was on the wheel?


oops, I was too late on the screech comments.

Yes I used a new spindle nut. Each new CV axle came with a new locking nut. And I got a torque wrench from sears that goes up to 250 ft-lbs. I was more worried I put it on too tight than not tight enough. And yes, I only snugged the axle nut while on the jack then torqued it when it was back on the ground with the vehicles weight on it.

 

[Bryan]

Okay all is done! Yay! Got both sides done and she's all back together. I even drained out the transmission fluid (which was horrible btw) and added 3 fresh bottles of new stuff. Car is running really good and no sounds at all. Though a question in closing. Those control arms I showed in a previous picture... Will they effect the car in any adverse way? They were thinner than the ones originally on the car ( I still think its stupid you need to replace an entire control arm because of a single ball joint). I have it all back together now and everything seems fine.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. It really came in handy.

 

[luigisho]

I don't know if any of the other aftermarket units are any thicker. There is usually a big difference in oem parts on the assembly lines and aftermarket replacement part quality.